Henry Samples

Henry was the son of Henry Samples and Sarah Samples nee Gamble. His father was born in Sneinton, Nottingham, in 1856 and his mother was born in Derby in 1855. They were married in 1875 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had eight children of whom five survived infancy/childhood: Job Samples b. 1876 (A/M/J Nottingham) bap. 30 July 1876 St Luke Sneinton, Henry birth registered 1878 (J/F/M Nottingham), Ellen b. 1880 (J/A/S Nottingham, Gamble), Harold b. 1892 (A/M/J Nottingham, Gamble) and Ernest b. 1896 (A/M/J Nottingham, Gamble) bap. 10 August 1896 St Stephen Sneinton. Henry and Sarah were living at Victoria Place, Nottingham, in 1876 when their son Job was baptised and were at 22 Victoria Place at the time of the 1881 Census. Henry (26), a leather splitter, and Sarah (26) had three children, Job (4), Henry (3) and Ellen (u/1 year). Victoria Place was still the family home in 1891; Henry was still working as a leather splitter and Sarah was now working as a factory hand. Job and Henry were both employed at a bone works and Ellen was at school. By 1901 Henry (45) and Sarah (45) had moved to 58 Thoresby Road, Nottingham. Only three of their five children were at home on the night of the census: Ellen (20) a lace pattern girl and Harold (8) and Ernest (4). Also in the household was a boarder. Henry and Sarah were still living at 58 Thoresby Road in 1911, but only their two youngest children were in the home on the night of the census. Henry (55) was now a leather dresser and his sons Harold (18) and Ernest (14) were apprentice leather dressers. Ellen has not yet been traced after 1901 although she placed a notice in the local paper when her mother died in 1929. Her two older brothers, Job and Henry, had married before 1901. Job had married Annie French on 26 October 1896 while Henry had married Hannah Brooks (b. 1878 O/N/D Nottingham, Terry) on 7 October 1899 (Sneinton St Stephen); their address was given as 9 Thoresby Place, Thoresby Road, Nottingham. Henry and Hannah had six children of whom two died in infancy or childhood. Five children were recorded on the census between 1901 and 1911: John Henry b. 1900 (J/A/S Nottingham) d. 1905 (J/F/M Nottingham) age 4, Mabel b. 6 August 1904, Violet b. 3 August 1906, Ethel b. 28 April 1908 and Henry Harold b. 2 March 1910. (Henry's Army Service Record gives the dates of birth of the four surviving children; the birth certificates had been sighted.) In 1901 Henry (23), a bricklayer's labourer, and Hannah (22), a lace clipper, were living at Heilds Yard, 4 Hermit Street, Nottingham, with their son John (u/1 year). John died three years later in 1905. By 1911 Henry and Sarah were again living at 9 Thoresby Place, Thorseby Street, Nottingham. He was still working as a bricklayer's labourer and she as a lace clipper. Their four surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: Mabel (6), Violet (5), Ethel (3) and Henry (1). They were still living at 9 Thoresby Place when Henry attested four years later on 13 January 1915. Hannah died at home on 13 September 1915 aged 38; the cause of death was given as a heart condition and chronic bronchitis. Her mother-in-law Sarah Samples of 54 Thoresby Street was with her when she died and registered the death the following day. Henry was evacuated to England later that month suffering from a gun shot wound. Internal regimental correspondence filed in Henry's Army Service Record shows that his mother of 54 Thoresby Road became her grandchildren's guardian. Sarah later lived at 47 Newark Street, Sneinton. Sarah died on 8 March 1929 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 72; she was still living at 47 Newark Street. Her husband Henry predeacesed her (possibly d. 1918 O/N/D Nottingham). With the exception of Henry Harold, Henry and Hannah's children have not been positively identified in records after 1918. Henry married Doris M Mottram (b. 28 January 1912) in 1933 (J/F/M Nottingham) and in 1939 they were living at 23 Hartford Terrace, Nottingham. Henry was a printer's general labourer while Doris' occupation was given as unpaid domestic duties. Of Henry's siblings: Job appears to have left his wife and children sometime after 1901 but before 1911. A family notice announcing Henry's death in 1918 named his brothers Ernest and Harold, who were both serving in France, and 'brother Job missing'. Job has not been traced on any military record so the wording suggests that he had never contacted his family after leaving home. His son, also named Job (but served as George) died on active service in 1916. (See record on this Roll of Honour). Harold married Clara Fowler in 1914 (O/N/D Nottingham). They were both listed on the Electoral Register in 1924 at 7 Davidson Street, Nottingham. Ernest served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He married Dorothy E Sanders in 1920 (J/A/S Nottingham) and died in 1922 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 25.

Henry Samples worked as a bricklayer's labourer. He was employed by Boots Building Department

9 Thoresby Place, Thoresby Street, Sneinton, Nottingham

Pte. Samples volunteered for service, attesting on 13 January 1915 at Nottingham. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, No. 22388. He was transferred to 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment on 10 July 1915. Henry suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh on 25 September 1915. He was admitted to 5th General Hospital, Rouen on 29 September 1915 and from there was evacuated on the Hospital Ship "St. Andrew" to England. Henry was admitted to the Scottish General Hospital, Glasgow, on 8 November 1915. He recovered from his wounds and returned to France on 1 May 1916. On 29 June 1917 he joined the battalion's trench mortar team, but returned to England on 29 March 1918. He embarked Folkestone for France on 2 April 1918 and disembarked Boulogne the same day. He was wounded yet again and taken to 141st Field Ambulance where he died on 13 June 1918. He was buried at Houchin British Cemetery (grave ref. G.II.5).

CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Four years have passed our hearts are sore but still we miss him more and more' Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', October 1915, 'By the Way': 'Pte Samples (Building Dept), of the Northants. has been recalled home on account of the death of his wife, who has left four young children.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, RB.38) Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', January 1916, 'By the Way': 'Another soldierman, Pte H Samples, who served in the same department as Lieut. Hollingworth [Leonard Hollingworth] called upon his former colleagues during the past month. On September 26th at the commencement of the attack upon Loos, he was badly injured at Vermelles. Immediately on leaving the first line of trenches he received a bullet through his thigh, and started to crawl back to cover. A high explosive shell, however, dropped three yards away from him, and he was buried. When he was removed from this position he was invalided home, and passed a considerable time in a Scottish hospital. Fortunately, he made so excellent a recovery that his return to service was possible in the first week of December.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38) 'Roll of Honour' published 19th June 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SAMPLES. – Died of wounds received in action on June 13th, 1918, Pte. H. Samples, of the T.M.B., aged 40. Sleep on, dear son, thy pains are o'er, thy tender heart will ache no more. – From his sorrowing mother and father and four children, brothers Harold and Ernest in France, brother Job missing, and sisters, Loved and respected by all. Of 47 Newark-street.” 'In memoriam' notice published 13th June 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SAMPLES. – In loving memory of Pte. H. Samples, who died of wounds in France June 13th, 1918. It is just one year ago to-day since our great sorrow fell, still in our hearts we mourn the loss of one we loved so well. His memory will never fade, loving thoughts will always wander to that unknown place where he is laid. – From his loving children, widowed mother, brothers, and sister.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 9 March 1929: ‘Samples. On March 8th, at 47 Newark-street, Sneinton, the beloved wife of the late Harry Samples, aged (-) after much suffering. At rest. Interment Carlton Cemetery, Wednesday, 12.30pm. From family’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 9 March 1929: ‘Samples. On the 8th inst., Sarah the beloved wife of the late Henry. At rest. Sorrowing daughter and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Job Samples (b. 1899) the son of Henry's brother Job and his wife Annie (nee French) served as George Samples (28527 Private, 17th Bn Sherwood Foresters) and was killed on 14 June 1916 aged 17 (Le Touret Military Cemetery). See record on this ROH. Thomas French, the brother of Annie Samples, served in the Mercantile Marine (SS Vasco) and was lost at sea on 16 November 1916 (Tower Hill Memorial, London). See record on this ROH.